If you’ve changed jobs over the past few years, chances are you’ve left a workplace pension or two behind. The time to act is now. Also, you may want to read this guide on what happens to your pension when you change jobs.
And while those pensions are quietly growing in the background, here’s the harsh truth:
Many are stuck in default funds, which are pre-selected investment options chosen by your pension provider, that aren’t performing as well as they could.
This week alone, I’ve helped clients review their current pensions — and in some cases, transfer their old ones — and the results were eye-opening.
That’s why I’m now offering a Free 1:1 Pension Review. Don’t let your hard-earned money sit in a pension that’s not working for you. Sign up for the review today and take control of your financial future.
📚 Related Reading:
Types of Pensions in the UK Explained
Most workplace pensions automatically invest your money in a “default” fund, designed to be one-size-fits-all.
But your goals, age, risk level, and financial situation aren’t the same as everyone else’s.
Here’s why that matters:
📉 Default funds often carry low to moderate risk, which may not deliver long-term growth.
🕰️ They’re not tailored to your retirement timeline or personal circumstances.
📦 You may have several old pensions scattered across different providers, making it difficult to track how each is performing.
Not sure what type of pension you have? Here’s a helpful overview of pension types in the UK.
Real-Life Example
One of my clients recently changed jobs, and we reviewed his old workplace pension before transferring it into a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP). We discovered that his pension was invested in the provider’s default fund, a diversified mix comprising approximately 70% equities, 10% bonds, 5% gold, and other assets.
While this was a broadly diversified portfolio, it wasn’t necessarily optimised for his situation. He’s still many years away from retirement and currently in the wealth accumulation phase, which means he is in a stage where he can afford to take on more risk for potentially greater reward, as he has time on his side.
When we compared the historical performance of that default fund to a more growth-focused alternative, the difference was striking:
The default fund had returned around 20% over the past 5 years.
The alternative growth fund delivered close to 38% in the same period
Of course, past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, and market volatility is always a factor. Still, this example shows how default options aren’t always the most suitable, especially for those with long-term investment horizons.
By tailoring his pension strategy to match his time frame and goals, he’s now in a better position to grow his retirement savings more effectively. This strategic shift has put him in a more secure position for his retirement.
What You’ll Get in the Free Pension Review
This is not a sales call. It’s a focused, value-driven 1:1 session designed to help you:
- Find old workplace pensions you may have forgotten about
- Check if your pension is in the right investment fund
- Understand your options (without overwhelming jargon)
- Take steps to make your money work harder
If you’d like to learn more about how pensions work in general, visit MoneyHelper’s guide to pensions.
Who Is This For?
This free session is ideal if:
- You’ve changed jobs at least once in the last 5–10 years.
- You’re unsure where your pensions are or how they’re performing.
- You want to take control of your retirement planning, but don’t know where to start.
📈 Investing Notice: This content is for informational purposes only and not investment advice. Investments can go up and down in value. Always do your own research and seek advice from a regulated professional. See full disclaimer.
Got Old Pension Pots? Here is How to Cash Them In Without Losing Your Tax Relief
Got old pension pots from previous jobs sitting forgotten with old
employers? The small pension pots rule lets you cash in any pot
worth under £10,000 without triggering the MPAA or losing your
£60,000 annual allowance. This guide explains who qualifies, how
the tax works, whether to cash in or consolidate, and how to track
down pots you may have forgotten about.
Taking Money From Your Pension? The MPAA Could Permanently Limit What You Save
The money purchase annual allowance (MPAA) permanently reduces how
much you can save into your pension once you start drawing from it.
Dropping from £60,000 to just £10,000 per year, it affects anyone
who accesses their pension flexibly. This guide explains what
triggers it, what does not, and how to access pension money without
triggering it at all.
Pension Annual Allowance 2025–26: The Complete Guide for Higher Earners
The pension annual allowance sets the maximum you can contribute to your pension each tax year and still receive tax relief. For 2025-26, most people can save up to £60,000, but higher earners may face a significantly reduced limit under the tapered annual allowance. This guide explains the standard allowance, how tax relief works at every income level, the taper thresholds, defined benefit calculations, and what happens if you exceed the limit.
Final Thought
You don’t need to be an expert to build a strong financial future, you just need to ask the right questions and take small, consistent steps.
And reviewing your pension is one of the most powerful (and often ignored) steps you can take.
So ask yourself:
Is your pension really in the right place?
If you’re not 100% sure, let’s talk.
Spaces are limited each month so I can give each review the attention it deserves.
📥 PS:
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